Rebecca Reis | Web Editor Published: March 26, 2014 3:01 PM

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Here are some of today's top headlines from around the area, including a Parma middle school student with a hit list, an Akron doctor allegedly moonlighting as a drug dealer and an Akron brewery named best in the U.S.

THIRSTY DOG: Akron brewery Thirst Dog Brewing Co. was named USA Brewery of the Year at the third annual New York International Beer Competition in New York City earlier this month, as well as the only brewery to be awarded a double gold medal for its Bernese Barley Wine Ale, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. The brewery also won bronze medals for its Citra Dog and Wulver Wee Heavy Ale. The competition featured nearly 400 beers and ciders from more than 20 countries as entrants, but less than 35 percent of the brewers won a medal. Thirsty Dog recently began distributing in Manhattan. Click here to read more at ohio.com.

CHARDON SHOOTER: The attorney for convicted Chardon High School shooter T.J. Lane requested Wednesday that the Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals reconsider Lane's three life sentences on the basis that Lane's age wasn't taken into consideration, according to the Plain Dealer. Lane was 17 at the time when he fired shots in the cafeteria of Chardon High School, killing Daniel Parmertor, 16; Demetrius Hewlin, 16; and Russell King Jr., 17, as well as injuring three others. Lane pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault, and was sentenced to 3 life sentences in prison last March. It is unclear when the appellate court will make a decision. Click here to read more at cleveland.com.

GO APE IN AURORA: Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin says she's not convinced that a GoApe adventure course would be appropriate to add to Sunny Lake Park, and her staff and City Council still need to research and approve the idea. The GoApe company builds an obstacle course through the trees made of rope bridges, zip lines and "Tarzan swings." The idea was proposed at the Feb. 17 recreation advisory committee meeting, and both sides are still in negotiations. The city would benefit from a percentage of the price of admission. Click here to read more here at auroraadvocate.com.

PAINKILLERS: Dr. Adolph Harper Jr., 63, of Akron, and three of his office workers were named in a 134-count indictment by federal prosecutors for allegedly prescribing hundreds of thousands of unnecessary pain medications to patients between 2009 and 2012, including Oxycontin, Percocet and Opana, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. The indictment — which names office workers Adria Harper, 34, Patricia Laughman, 51, and Tequilla Berry, 25, in conspiring to traffic pharmaceutical drugs, drug trafficking and health care fraud— also accuses the doctor of sending health insurance providers with bills for unperformed services or with higher-than-justified bills and still billing the companies after patients already paid with cash. The Romig Road practice was investigated by the FBI, Akron Police, the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, the Department of Health and Human Services and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents. Click here to read more at ohio.com.

CELL PHONES: The Shaker Heights ban on all cell phone use — yes, even talking on it — goes into effect today, although officers will only issue warnings until May 25, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Cell phones may still be used in parked cars outside of lanes of travel and certain emergency uses will be permitted, but cited drivers could receive a $1,000 fine, 30 days in jail plus two penalty points on their driver's licenses. Beachwood, Pepper Pike, University Heights and South Euclid already make driving on the phone a primary offense. Click here to read more at cleveland.com.

HIT LIST: The Parma City School District released a statement today saying an alleged student-created hit list was found at Hillside Middle School Tuesday, which included the names of students and faculty, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group. The student's gender and grade were not released, but the district said disciplinary procedures are being conducted, a school-wide alert was issued and phone calls were made to any family members on this list. A district spokesperson said security personnel are working with the Seven Hills Police Department on the investigation. Hillside serves grades 5 through 7. Click here to read more at cleveland.com.